Football Australia confirm referee ‘error’ that cost Western United the chance at victory

An ‘error’ in judgement from a video assistant referee that cost Western United the chance at victory over Adelaide United has been confirmed by Football Australia.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 09: Ryan Kitto of Adelaide United and Ethan Alagich of Adelaide United celebrate the final whistle during the round four A-League Men match between Adelaide United and Western United at Coopers Stadium, on November 09, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Western United was robbed of a second-half penalty in its 2-1 weekend loss to Adelaide United, with Football Australia admitting video assistant referee Alex King was wrong to not award a spot kick after reviewing the incident.

With the scores locked at 1-1 at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night, Western United substitute Abel Walatee was about give his side the lead when Adelaide defender Ryan Kitto brought him down from behind.

Referee Daniel Elder, perhaps not seeing the incident, didn’t point to the penalty spot, but most were expecting VAR King to advise Elder to award Western a spot kick after reviewing the footage.

Abel Walatee of Western United was robbed of a penalty. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

However, according to Football Australia, King “felt no contact was made by the Adelaide player” after reviewing “a number of angles of the incident”.

FA head of referees Jon Moss has admitted King made an “error in judgement”.

It’s scant consolation for United, who are yet to win this season.

“Football Australia has since spoken to Western United FC about the incident and provided feedback to the match officials,” FA said in a statement.

However, FA maintains that the A-League is “leading the way globally with live referee communication to fans in stadium and on broadcast as part of the process” and that the “intervention of the Video Assistant Referee has led to 10 incidents being corrected.”